By Marlee Breakstone

Do you like spending time with children, helping them to develop into outstanding people and seeing the joy that your presence brings to them? Do you like volunteering your time to a worthwhile cause? Do you like having unusual amounts of fun while at the same time helping to make a difference in the lives of children? If you answered yes to any of these questions, Big Brother Big Sister is the club for you!

Having had been a devoted member of Big Brother Big Sister and currently holding the title of president, I can truthfully say that this club gives students the chance to do volunteer work that is fun and very worthwhile. This club is advised by Dr. Bosman, the head of our school’s language department. Once a week, the members of Big Brother Big Sister board a bus and visit a local elementary school. There, we spend time helping children with their homework, getting to know them on a personal level, and having a great time playing with them. In past years we have ventured to Driggs Elementary School in Waterbury, but this year we will be visiting Sprague Elementary School, also in Waterbury.

I have come to learn that, although our weekly trips to a local elementary school to help with the afterschool program may only be a fun outing for students at Pomperaug, it is much more than that for the students that we meet. These children are often underprivileged and have been through a lot of tough times. After the first visit, the children begin to get attached to their big brothers and sisters from Pomperaug. They look up to us and love discussing everything with us, from their personal problems to Justin Bieber.

The way that the children’s faces light up when we arrive at their school is enough to make the whole experience worthwhile. Although Big Brother Big Sister is a lot of fun and does look great on a college application, it is a great commitment. The children take notice when we do not return to visit them; all that they want is for us to appreciate them for all that they have to offer and give them all the guidance that we can.

Being a part of Big Brother Big Sister can make a huge difference in the life of a child. Even if you missed the meeting, it is not too late to join this club! We will begin our weekly trips to Sprague on Monday, February 27. If you are interested in joining, please join the Facebook group or contact me, Marlee Breakstone. I urge everyone to become a part of Big Brother Big Sister. You won’t regret it!